Latest situation at Holyhead?

[jlavery]

Heading North from Milford Haven next week, bound for Scotland.

What's the latest state of play regarding facilities at Holyhead? Any progress from the basic pontoon?

Apologies if I've missed replies in other posts - couldn't find much in my search on the forum.

 

[[70521]]

Why not give them a ring? Holyhead Marina Contact details.

 

[jlavery]

Yes, that's one high-tech solution! I'll do that. Was also interested in recent experience as opposed to what the marina say.

 

[Seastoke]

I think it’s the same just the pontoon , or buoy or the yacht club .

 

[jlavery]

I think it’s the same just the pontoon , or buoy or the yacht club .

Thanks - that's what I suspected.

 

[jlavery]

Why not give them a ring? Holyhead Marina Contact details.

I'm not sure I'll get much more information than I got 2 years ago when I was passing through heading South on a delivery. Think it was an answerphone message. But will give it a try!

 

[Seastoke]

You can drop anchor, I don’t think there is fuel.

 

[Supertramp]

At the risk of drifting your thread, the Irish coast has good marinas all-tide accessible (Greystones, Howth, Ardglass) and avoids the complications of Bardsey and Stacks areas. Also short term anchor spots depending on wind to wait out adverse tide.

 

[Hadenough]

At the risk of drifting your thread, the Irish coast has good marinas all-tide accessible (Greystones, Howth, Ardglass) and avoids the complications of Bardsey and Stacks areas. Also short term anchor spots depending on wind to wait out adverse tide.

And you avoid Wales

 

[jlavery]

At the risk of drifting your thread, the Irish coast has good marinas all-tide accessible (Greystones, Howth, Ardglass) and avoids the complications of Bardsey and Stacks areas. Also short term anchor spots depending on wind to wait out adverse tide.

Thanks - had already decided that Ireland is probably the way we'll go for the reasons you give. I can also visit my aunt who lives in Kilmore Quay

Was interested in Holyhead just in case we end up needing to go in.

 

[jlavery]

However. Forecast is now for steady 15-20+ kts from the East, so Kilmore and then out and up a lee shore is less attractive.

 

[Supertramp]

Holyhead is not that nice in E to NE. Port Eris on IOM is a good anchor stop in Easterlies, and overnights on the SW Anglesey coast. Just returned from Irish East Coast and not good in Easterlies unless you're a surfer!

 

[Delphin_Rival36]

Can confirm Port ERIN, IOM is a great stopping off point, especially in Easterlies - very sheltered. There are 2 large, well maintained visitor mooring buoys - on the 2 recent occasions I have stayed there I've not had problems using them. But not many facilities in Erin, other than pubs, cafes

 

[Delphin_Rival36]

You could consider Victoria Dock, Caernarfon as an alternative to Holyhead. Entrance is tide restricted and you'll have to negotiate Caernarfon Bar, which can get a bit hairy if wind over tide. However, Victoria dock has good facilities, fuel, chandlery and plenty of eateries and pubs a short walk from the marina. And you can always visit the castle where King Charles was invested as Prince of Wales more than 50 years ago!

 

[eebygum]

One caution about Holyhead marina and the visitors pontoon is that it is the arrival point for the visiting cruise ship tenders of which there are scheduled to be up to 50 this year.

We visited last year and had to move up when the cruise ship starting unloading which was very uncomfortable unless your on the inside and generally not a quiet place to stay.

 

[KAM]

Just heading the other way. Had a nice stop in Holyhead 10 years ago. What's happened to the marina.

 

[Delphin_Rival36]

Severe storm damage about 4 years ago. Most pontoons came adrift/sank and many boats sank or were damaged beyond repair. It was unprecedented, especially considering the size of the harbour wall that normally protects the harbour well. A genuine freak occurrence

 

[KAM]

Thanks. I can see the note on the chart now. Looks like there's plenty of room to anchor.

 

[jlavery]

Well we've ended up in Holyhead and as bad as before or worse.

Not many other options, so here we are in 20kts easterly.

No room on downwind side, until crew on another boat moved a HSC launch which was positioned to leave 2 20' gaps instead of the 36' we need!

Cleats on pontoon loose and areas have bolts protruding which would cause havoc with fenders or hull.

HSC boatman says no rebuild in sight - still arguing about money. Pontoon is un maintained and deteriorating.

No showers. Maybe toilets in office hours.

I did phone, and went to voice mail. Left a message but no response to date.

Off to Port Erin tomorrow.

 

[Skylark]

Thanks for the update @jlavery albeit grim reading. I was a berth holder for around 20 years. Holyhead is a great base from which to cruise. All very sad.